Chapter 14
Alice rubbed the spot between her eyes and tried to focus on the document she’d been reading—or, in her case, re-reading for the third time to try to make sense of the words on the paper.
Yet another burst of laughter filled the air. It took a Herculean effort not to glance up to see who Theodore was enchanting today in his office. His deep baritone rumbled something, and like clockwork a slight throb grew between her thighs.
Jesus. She’d never taken herself as someone who got so wrapped up in a guy that the mere sound of his voice turned her into a tuning fork. Perhaps she’d been hypnotized by his romantic Welsh accent and hand skills, something she couldn’t stop thinking about.
Alice should move her desk. That way she couldn’t hear him or see him—and his growing harem—from across the cattle pen. In. Out. In. Out. For three days, Edison Tech employees paraded into his office. Sometimes more than once. Smiling. Laughing. Relaxed—a state she hadn’t felt in days.
She and Theodore had hardly gotten any time together, though he always stopped in to see her a few times a day, and they’d had another sexting session two evenings ago. So unsatisfying. There was nothing like the real thing.
Andy from RD rushed into her view. “Hey, Alice, got a second?”
She was fresh out of them, but … “Sure. What’s up?”
“Something’s wrong with my direct deposit. Bank put a hold on it for some reason.”
That didn’t sound right. “Let me call them. See what’s up.”
It had to be a glitch—another one to add to the every-growing pile of recent breakdowns.
The other day, the internet went down for two hours, which sent everyone into a tizzy. Thirty minutes with tech support solved it. Two older laptops died on two of the sales guys. That was meltdown-worthy because they didn’t keep any computers in reserve. Roger hadn’t wanted to spend the money.
The only part of Alice’s job that was working was her meetings with Suzy. She had to pinch herself that the Suzy O’Flannery was taking such an interest in her, explaining certain things without making her feel like a complete idiot. Like how a nontraded real estate investment trust was structured and other complex financial instruments Alice had been trying to learn.
They’d often get interrupted because some emergency would crop up. Like they were getting low on K-cups of everyone’s new favorite Hawaiian Kona coffee. Now that Alice had replenished the supply with Samuel’s chosen coffee, the entire office had upgraded their idea of what constituted good java.
Theodore’s door cracked open. Janie walked backward out of it as if she didn’t want to rip her gaze from his strong jaw or his I’ll-devour-you grin.
It was a familiar scene.
Theodore leaned against the door jamb, casting his beautiful eyes down on Janie. Her light laughter followed.
She tried to not eavesdrop on them, but her ears seemed attuned to his voice.
Yesterday, she’d overheard him and Tricia talking outside the kitchen area.
Oh, Theodore, that tea you recommended? Fabulous. Thank you so much.
His low rumble murmured. Always a pleasure. Never a chore.
He’d used that line on her.
Then, when Georgia, a junior marketing assistant, had asked him for places to visit in London—a trip she suddenly “felt compelled to plan,” he’d typed a long list into her phone. Alice watched him spend ten minutes tapping away.
That wasn’t all. Two women met with him at once earlier that day. They kept darting glances at each other as if to mentally telepathize Can you believe it? We’re here … with Theodore! They laughed so much at that meeting, Alice knew hearts were melting for him. And he basked in all the adoration.
Maybe he was a sex addict. They needed a lot of attention from the opposite sex, right? Except he never once crossed the line into wholly inappropriate talk at work. At least not from what she could hear.
Who was she to judge anyway? Her imagination, for one, was no better. It was his hands. She kept thinking about them—on her. She knew he wasn’t taking any of those girls home but still…
To manage her overactive imagination, she’d started a spreadsheet to keep track of all the little things she was growing irritated with to try to sort through them later and make sure she wasn’t overreacting or losing her mind. It was a sort of pro and con list, all neatly organized.
In the pro list, she’d listed “always says hello in the morning and stops by at least two times during the day.” Granted, his voice maintained a neutral business tone, but a greeting was a greeting.
In the con list was “evokes too many made-up holidays” and “displays a shocking level of ingratitude.” That last one earned him bold text. He did not at all appreciate the tea pods she ordered for the Keurig. She sprung for the Twinings, too. She left a box on his desk, only to find them in Tricia’s hands in the kitchen.
Theodore’s chuckle from down the hallway shook her out of her spiral. She turned away to go back to her desk. But before she could sit, Harrison’s frame filled her doorway. Angst lined his face. “She’s down again.”
For the love of… “Again? I swear I don’t know what you do to Big Whale.”
“That copier has a vendetta against me.”
She followed him to the copier room. Inside, Theodore stared down at a temp they’d hired that morning to help with some database input. Maven, Mabel, May-something?
He had his arms crossed and was rocking back on his heels as he said, “I swear. It’s all true.”
She stared up at him like stars shot out of his eyes.
“Spreading rumors about how handsome I am, again?” Harrison interjected.
Theodore slapped him on the shoulder. “That would be you bragging about my brilliant mind.”
Harrison chuckled and might have blushed a little. Jesus. The love-fest never ended.
The temp worker—Mary, maybe?—had a killer smile. It was aimed firmly at Theodore, of course. “More like how if a Buckingham Palace guard smiles, it’s considered a breach of their duty.” She sighed. “So, have you ever been inside?”
Theodore leaned down toward her. “I can safely say I’ve never been granted an audience, but one can dream, May Lynn.”
So close on the name …
The woman tittered and slapped him on the arm. Her hand lingered a bit. “It must be so exciting to live in London. Your whole family lives there?”
“He’s from Wales, not England,” Alice said and strode over to the copier, whose dashboard was lit up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
“Yes, true Welshman here,” he said. “But I do live in London.”
See? She knew nothing about the man. “How nice for you. A bachelor pad in every city.”
May Lynn lowered her voice and aimed it right at Alice. “It’s called a flat in the UK.”
“I know.” She stared down at the blinking screen. “You done with your project, May Lynn?”
“Not yet, but I’ll get back to it,” May Lynn said brightly. “Let me know if you need any help, Theodore. I’m here all day.”
He dipped his chin. “Lovely to meet you.”
“I love the way you talk.” May Lynn finally scooted out.
Harrison grinned over at Theodore. “Maybe I should adopt a British accent.”
Alice loved Theodore’s accent, but that didn’t stop her from an internal eye roll.
Harrison glanced over at Alice. “So, verdict?”
She punched the reset button. The display screen began blinking rapidly. Fantastic. “We may have to call the repair man. I haven’t seen this before.”
Harrison huffed. “Jerry over at Cis-com wants a paper proposal sent over by end of day. And I got”—he pulled out his phone—“two calls and?—”
“Leave it with me. I’ll run out at lunch and have it back by one.”
He sighed in relief. “You’re a life saver, Alice.”
He left her with Theodore, who oddly hadn’t budged. “Your boyfriend giving you trouble, Miss Crawford?”
Alice tried hard to not look at Theodore. “Big Whale is not my boyfriend. More like my pain in the ass.” She bent down toward the screen and whispered, “Forget I said that.” She circled to the back of the copier. Maybe if she unplugged it, the thing would reset. That’d worked before.
He leaned against the machine. “You run errands for others a lot?”
“Why do you care?”
“What’s got your knickers in a twist, love?”
“I’m not in a twist, Theodore.” She knew she sounded exactly like her panties were tied in a bow cutting off her lady bits’ circulation. The interruptions that day were getting out of hand.
She tried to pull out the plug, which was the size of a cell phone. It wasn’t budging. “Just tired. It’s been a busy day.”
“Let me help.” He reached for her.
“I got it.”
His large hand curled around hers. Sparks flew up her arm, and she jumped. His hand, curled in a fist, pulled back.
“Industrial carpeting,” she said.
His brows shot up. “What’s that?”
“Static electricity. That’s all it was.” She reached over again and pulled the plug hard. It came loose.
“Sure, Alice. Whatever you say.” Now, he sounded irritated.
“Happens all the time.”
“That right?” He shoved his hand in his trouser pockets. “Doesn’t happen all the time to me.”
She got his meaning. “I’d say it happens to you every day.”
“What are you talking about?” He scrubbed his hair, clearly exasperated.
“Oh, Theodore, that tea you recommended? Fabulous. Oh, Theodore, I love the way you talk.” She batted her eyelashes at the ceiling.
He snorted through his nostrils. “You’re jealous?”
“No. I’d very much like to not be bothered by any of this at all.” That was the truth. She didn’t want her attraction to him. The attention on Theodore was too consuming. “It’s taking over my life.”
“I’d say this place”—he waved his hand around the air—“has taken over your life. You work too much.”
“And you? You seem to be the office comedian.”
“People reveal a lot more when not stressed. What is going on with you? Really?” His brow furrowed, and he stepped forward.
She moved back, an automatic reaction. She’d been trying so hard to resist him. She needed space so she could think, not just physically react to him.
He strode to the door, flipped the secure sign, and shut the door. He turned to her. “Truth. What’s wrong?”
“Please don’t.”
“Don’t what?” He was getting dangerously close to her now. But it was when his hand reached out to grasp her arm and he slid his large palm down to her hand that the sparks turned into lightning. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, and she melted.
He arched an eyebrow in question. She forgot what she was protesting altogether because, again, puddle.
A knock sounded on the door. “Got her fixed? Deadline moved up.” It was Harrison’s booming voice. She didn’t know whether she should thank him or be pissed. Theodore had definitely planned to kiss her. God, she’d wanted him to.
They were playing a dangerous game. Even being in the same office was too much, and she couldn’t screw up. Not now.
“I have to go.” She yanked open the door and scooted out of there fast, passing Harrison. “Not fixed,” she said to him. Nothing seemed to be.